INT. WHITE HOUSE - EAST ROOM - DAY
Wilson walks daughter Jessie down the aisle at her wedding.
SUPERIMPOSE: "NOVEMBER, 1913."
Ellen and daughters MARGARET, 27, and Nellie look on, with a
roomful of guests, including Treasury's McAdoo. Nellie and
McAdoo exchange smiles.
LATER
Jessie and 30-ish groom FRANCIS SAYRE have exchanged vows
before the 50-ish MINISTER.
MINISTER
By the power invested in me, I
pronounce you man and wife. You
may kiss the bride.
Jessie and Francis kiss.
LATER
Jessie throws her bouquet behind her, with Margaret and
Nellie among the women who fail to catch it.
Nellie and McAdoo again exchange smiles as all applaud the
lady who caught the bouquet.
INT. PRESIDENT'S OFFICE - DAY
Wilson meets with Lind, Bryan, House, and 40-ish WILLIAM
BAYARD HALE.
HALE
I was fairly impressed with
Carranza, Mister President. He's
not a military man, but he's got
some good soldiers behind him.
Obregón, Pablo González, Pancho
Villa.
(beat)
With Carranza's men pushing south,
and Zapata's men pushing north,
they just might rid us of Huerta.
WILSON
And then what? Secretary Garrison
tells me there will be a bloodbath
in Mexico City.
HALE
I don't see many options, Mister
President, if you rule out armed
intervention. Carranza says no
interim government. Only military
victory. We just have to hope the
Constitutionalists will live up to
their name. Carranza does make
that one request: Lift the embargo
on arms into Mexico.
LIND
I second that motion, Mister
President.
BRYAN
But, gentlemen, lifting the arms
embargo would leave no semblance of
neutrality.
HOUSE
Why not? We'd be letting 'em fight
it out. Just so they end up with
free elections.
WILSON
What does O'Shaughnessy think of
all this? Do we know?
Lind clears his throat. Wilson looks at him.
LIND
Mister President, I hope you won't
think I'm trying to question the
loyalty of Mister O'Shaughnessy.
I'm sure the chargé is just as
loyal as the next man. But from
what I gathered in Mexico City, he
and Huerta seem to have developed a
simpatico relationship. It's my feeling
that if you receive a suggestion or
recommendation from the embassy,
you may want to consider its possible
source.
WILSON
Meaning Huerta himself?
BRYAN
Perhaps O'Shaughnessy should be
instructed to be less familiar with
the general.
LIND
O'Shaughnessy allows himself to be
seen riding around in Huerta's car.
Even having drinks with him in
disreputable saloons.
BRYAN
O'Shaughnessy shall be given
instructions!
LIND
Huerta even calls him his "hijo."
That's "son" in Spanish.
BRYAN
Perhaps we made a wrong choice.
WILSON
Forget O'Shaughnessy for now. What
are we going to do about Huerta?
HALE
Lift the embargo, Mister President.
Civil war is not a good way to
settle things, but it looks like
that's how it is.
INT. EMBASSY - DINING ROOM - DAY
Edith is seated for lunch, the maid attending. Nelson comes
in and joins Edith. She notes his grim, distracted look.
EDITH
What has Huerta done now?
NELSON
It's not Huerta. It's Wilson.
We've lifted the embargo on arms
into Mexico.
EDITH
Meaning what exactly?
NELSON
Meaning the United States has taken
sides in this civil war, without
openly proclaiming it.
D'Antin enters and steps to Nelson's side.
D'ANTIN
General Huerta is here to take you
for a ride.
EDITH
That doesn't sound very good.
EXT. COUNTRY ROAD - DAY
Huerta's car cruises, with a security car following.
INT. HUERTA'S CAR - MOVING - DAY
Huerta and Nelson are in back, Huerta's chauffeur driving.
HUERTA
I have been thinking. It is a
personal thing, this thing between
His Excellency President Wilson
and me. A personal grudge.
NELSON
The President has a grudge against
you?
HUERTA
He believes I was behind the
assassination of Madero.
Before Nelson can respond,
HUERTA
It is not true. I only overthrew
Madero, I did not order him killed.
I did not need a martyr on my
hands.
NELSON
President Wilson has never accused
you, General.
HUERTA
It is what he thinks. Madero was a
good, honest man.
Too much so for his own good, or
Mexico's. He was weak,
incompetent, the country was going
to ruin. You know this. I had the
army, it was up to me. There was
no one else. It was not for power
or personal ambition, if that is
what His Excellency thinks. If I
had wanted power, mi hijo, I could
have taken it long before. I
could have overthrown a government
stronger than Madero's.
NELSON
General, the death of Madero has
not been mentioned by --
HUERTA
(angrily)
Then why this persecution?
Nelson sighs.
NELSON
President Wilson is a strong
believer in democratic principles.
HUERTA
Fine! My job is not to establish
democracy, it is to establish
order. Then we talk about these
principles. His Excellency does
not understand this country. Let
him lift his embargo. Let him
anchor more ships off our coast.
Let him send his ultimatums.
I will continue doing my duty, as
God has given it. I will not
yield.
INT. WHITE HOUSE - ELLEN'S STUDIO - DAY
A room with a skylight. Ellen, who seems tired, sits painting
at an easel, while Wilson, in his business suit, stands by,
admiring her work.
WILSON
It's been a whirlwind romance,
just like ours.
ELLEN
I'm still concerned about the
age difference, though. Aren't
you?
WILSON
Yes, I am. But Mac McAdoo's
a fine Christian man. He'll
take good care of our daughter.
ELLEN
Well, we've tried to talk sense to
Nell. But she's about as stubborn
as you are, Woodrow.
Wilson puts a hand on Ellen's shoulder, interrupting her
painting.
WILSON
Excuse me a moment.
He leans down and gives her a kiss.
WILSON
Look on the bright side, dear.
We're going to be setting a
record for White House weddings.
Wilson walks to the door. He hears things TOPPLE OVER. He
turns to see that Edith has fainted, knocking over the canvas
and easel, to the floor. He rushes to her.
WILSON
Ellen!
Secret Service Agents #1 and #2, having heard, hurry in from
the corridor. Wilson, kneeling, takes Ellen in his arms.
AGENT #1
What's happened?
WILSON
Get Grayson here!
Agent #2 runs out. Ellen comes to as Wilson holds her in his
arms, Agent #1 leaning over them.
EXT. WHITE HOUSE - NIGHT
The lights are on in the living quarters.
INT. LIVING QUARTERS - NIGHT
Ellen rests on a sofa. Handsome White House doctor CARY
GRAYSON, 40, sitting in an armchair, rises as Wilson enters.
WILSON
Well, Doctor, what's the verdict?
GRAYSON
Nothing dire to report, Mister
President. I think Mrs. Wilson
has just run herself down.
ELLEN
I told Doctor Grayson that's
nonsense.
Wilson sits down by Ellen, Grayson in the armchair.
GRAYSON
Why don't y'all go spend a week at
White Sulphur Springs?
The conversation becomes tongue-in-cheek.
ELLEN
Tell him, Woodrow: I work less
than any First Lady in history.
WILSON
I didn't want to say anything,
dear.
GRAYSON
A person can get tired doing
nothing.
ELLEN
Then that may explain it.
WILSON
I'm recommending White Sulphur
Springs so your husband and I can
play some more golf there.
EXT. HOTEL HARRINGTON - NIGHT
A nice downtown Washington hotel.
INT. HOTEL CORRIDOR - NIGHT
Wilson advisor House walks along looking for a room number,
as a well-dressed couple pass.
Finding the number, House knocks on the door. Someone's well
tailored ASSISTANT or bodyguard, 30-ish, opens the door.
ASSISTANT
Come in, Colonel House.
INT. HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
House enters, the Assistant closing the door. Oil baron JOHN
REESE, 55, a folksy but imposing Texan, stands fixing himself
a drink.
REESE
Hello, Ed!
HOUSE
John, how are you?
They shake hands.
REESE
Fine. And you?
HOUSE
Good. Nice to see you.
REESE
How's Loulie?
HOUSE
She's fine. Misses Houston.
REESE
Can't blame her for that.
LATER
House and Reese sit chuckling about something as they're
having a drink together.
HOUSE
Well, you didn't come all the way
from Houston, John, just to have
a drink and reminisce.
REESE
No, not exactly. It's this Mexican
trouble. It's damn bad for
business. So we oil men have come
up with a plan, Ed. It's a good
one. As his advisor, we'd like you
to bring it to the President's
attention.
HOUSE
The President's always open to
suggestions.
REESE
An expeditionary force to Mexico
City could easily unseat Huerta,
before Villa and Zapata and the
rest of those cutthroats have
time to get there. The United
States sets up an interim
government, one with all of our
interests at heart. There are
some excellent choices for the job.
One man is leader of Mexico's
Catholic party, and --
HOUSE
Hold on, John. You're talking
about turning Mexico into a United
States colony. The President
wouldn't listen to that.
Reese hands his glass to the Assistant for a refill. House
declines one. Reese becomes a little less folksy.
REESE
I don't have to tell you, Ed,
about the importance of those
Mexican oil fields and refineries
to Texas. Not just Texas, the
whole damn U.S. economy. And it's
not just petroleum. Look at the
American railroad and mining
interests in Mexico. Altogether
we're talking one billion dollars.
Some forty thousand Americans are
living down there in peril.
Tampico is full of American
refugees, and it's about to fall to
the rebels. Things in Mexico are
out of control. And getting worse
while we sit here and sip. The
United States has to act.
HOUSE
The President wants to avoid
starting a war.
REESE
What damn war? The Mexican people
want to be rescued. We would only
be fighting Huerta, if he puts up
a fight. And Villa, if he doesn't
like what we're trying to do.
Hell, Villa can be bought off.
The Assistant hands Reese his refill.
REESE
There's killing and looting and
raping going on. The poor folks
down there would greet us with
open arms. Look at it this way,
Ed. If a man's house is on
fire, he ought to be glad if
his neighbors come put it out.
EXT. TAMPICO, MEXICO - DAY
Clouds of black smoke drift over the river port city. There
is the distant sound of ARTILLERY.
SUPERIMPOSE: "TAMPICO, MEXICO."
An oil storage tank EXPLODES in the distance, more black
smoke billows.
Wagons bring wounded federal soldiers in from the front.
On the river, a motor launch, manned by U.S. sailors and
flying the U.S. flag, brings a group of North American
refugees into port.
EXT. U.S. GUNBOAT DOLPHIN - DAY
The gunboat is moored at a Tampico riverfront wharf.
INT. CAPTAIN'S CABIN - DAY
Ensign CHARLES COPP, 28, enters to report to U.S. Navy Captain
RALPH EARLE, 43.
COPP
You sent for me, Captain?
EARLE
Yes, Mister Copp. I'm sending you
on a mission. An important one.
COPP
Yes, sir?
EARLE
We've been shuttling our boats
between here and the ships, and
bringing refugees down the river,
till our gasoline's just about
gone. A German national, Max
Tyron, has offered to sell us some
gasoline.
Earle hands Copp an envelope and a hand-drawn map.
EARLE
Here's the money and a map to his
warehouse. You can get there by
canal.
EXT. A BRIDGE ON CANAL - DAY
A railroad bridge, patrolled by federal soldiers.
EXT. CANAL - DAY
A U.S. Navy whaleboat, with U.S. flags fore and aft, is rowed
along the canal. Aboard are Ensign Copp and nine sailors,
all unarmed.
Copp spots 50-ish German businessman MAX TYRON ahead,
emerging from his warehouse and waving.
EXT. TYRON'S DOCK - DAY
The men in the whaleboat come alongside the dock, Tyron
waiting.
COPP
Max Tyron?
TYRON
At your service.
EXT. BRIDGE - DAY
A federal ARMY MAJOR joins a federal soldier who points off,
other soldiers gathering to look.
The Major trains binoculars on Copp's sailors -- seven
on Tyron's dock, two in the whaleboat -- carrying cans of
gasoline from the warehouse and stowing them in the boat.
MAJOR
(in Spanish)
Report this to Colonel Hinojosa on
the double.
EXT. TYRON'S DOCK - DAY
Copp hands Tyron his money as the loading continues.
TYRON
Thank you, sir. Excuse me, I shall
write a receipt.
Tyron heads into the warehouse.
EXT. A STREET - DAY
A FEDERAL LIEUTANANT, 32, heads for the canal with a squad of
ten soldiers, armed with rifles. No one else is about, all
the buildings look closed.
EXT. TYRON'S DOCK - DAY
Copp watches his sailors load the cans.
The Lieutenant and his soldiers come marching onto the dock.
SAILOR #1
We got company.
The Lieutenant goes straight up to Copp.
LIEUTENANT
(in Spanish)
You are under arrest. Get your men
out of that boat.
COPP
Sorry, amigo. No comprende.
The Lieutenant, showing no comprehension of English, will
continue speaking in Spanish.
LIEUTENANT
I am taking you and your men into
custody.
COPP
Anybody know what he's saying?
The Lieutenant steps to the dock edge. He gestures to
Sailors #2 and #3 in the boat.
LIEUTENANT
Get out of that boat or we'll
shoot you.
SAILOR #2
He wants us out of the boat.
COPP
Stay right where you are.
(to Lieutenant)
Look, mister, I don't know who
the hell you think you are, but --
LIEUTENANT
(to soldiers)
Get over here. Half of you, keep
them covered.
While five soldiers cover the sailors on the dock, five step
to the dock edge.
LIEUTENANT
Aim your weapons.
The soldiers take aim with their rifles at Sailors #2 and #3
in the boat. The Lieutenant and sailors look at Copp. Copp
hesitates, then,
COPP
Get out of the boat.
Sailors #2 and #3 climb out, while the Lieutenant and Copp
stare at each other.
LIEUTENANT
Form up to march them!
Tyron comes out of his warehouse, receipt in hand, as the
soldiers form around Copp and his men.
LIEUTENANT
Forward march!
The soldiers march off with their captives, the Lieutenant
leading the way. Tyron looks incredulous.
EXT. STREET - DAY
Tyron catches up with the Lieutenant, behind them the soldiers
marching Copp and his men. (Spanish:)
TYRON
Sir, these men were just buying
gasoline.
LIEUTENANT
Without permission. They are in a
restricted zone.
TYRON
But, sir, these are United States
servicemen. They --
LIEUTENANT
I am under orders to take them to
Colonel Hinojosa.
TYRON
But this is all my fault. I --
LIEUTENANT
Get away from me!
Tyron falls back to walk beside Copp. The dialogue is in
English again.
COPP
What's he say?
TYRON
He says you are in a restricted
zone. I didn't know, I --
COPP
I don't give a shit what kind of
zone we're in. You tell him
we're --
LIEUTENANT
Silencio!
(to Tyron, in Spanish)
Get away from those men!
Tyron stops. Copp, being marched away, looks back at him.
COPP
Go tell Captain Earle what's
happening!
The Lieutenant and Tyron speak in Spanish (subtitles):
LIEUTENANT
What did he say?
TYRON
He said he doesn't understand
what's happening.
The Lieutenant grabs Tyron by the collar and gets in his
face.
LIEUTENANT
He said something about a captain.
Don't you lie to me.
TYRON
He said, "Go tell Captain Earle
what is happening."
The Lieutenant turns Tyron loose with a shove. He turns to
follow the others.
INT. COLONEL HINOJOSA'S HQ - DAY
Colonel RAMON HINOJOSA, 50, speaks to Copp through a Mexican
INTERPRETER. Behind Copp stand his sailors. The Federal
Lieutenant also is present.
Hinojosa has a cold and dabs at his nose.
HINOJOSA
(speaks in Spanish)
INTERPRETER
You had no business to be in that
area. It is under strict military
control.
COPP
We were just buying gasoline.
The Interpreter translates, Hinojosa responds in Spanish.
INTERPRETER
We didn't know what you were doing.
We were forced to detain you.
HINOJOSA
(speaks in Spanish)
INTERPRETER
At any moment the rebels may attack
at that bridge.
COPP
We're not the rebels. Tell him all
we want is the gasoline. We'll be
happy to leave the area.
The Interpreter translates. After a moment, Hinojosa sighs
and responds in Spanish.
INTERPRETER
You will be escorted back to your
boat. You will complete your
loading. You will then leave the
area at once.
EXT. GUNBOAT DOLPHIN - DAY
Moored at the riverfront wharf.
INT. CAPTAIN'S CABIN - DAY
Copp reports to Earle. U.S. Consul CLARENCE MILLER, 55, is
present, as is mustachioed Rear Admiral HENRY MAYO, 57.
COPP
They escorted us back to the dock,
we completed the loading. They
watched us till we left.
EARLE
Okay, Mister Copp, that will be all
for now.
MAYO
One moment.
Admiral Mayo steps over to Copp.
MAYO
Mister Copp...
COPP
Yes, sir?
MAYO
You allowed this Mexican officer
to remove two seamen from the
whaleboat?
COPP
Well, sir, he gave an order to
his men there, and --
MAYO
Answer my question. You allowed
him to remove those two seamen?
COPP
Yes, sir, I --
MAYO
Do you know what you did? That
whaleboat was flying the American
flag, fore and aft, was it not?
COPP
Yes, sir.
MAYO
That whaleboat, Mister Copp, was
United States territory. In
allowing them to remove those men,
you allowed them to violate United
States sovereignty.
COPP
I had no choice, sir. We had no
arms.
As I said, sir, they aimed their
weapons at the men in the boat. I
was afraid they would shoot them.
A pause. Mayo indicates that he's through with Copp.
EARLE
You are dismissed.
Copp leaves.
MAYO
Captain Earle...
EARLE
Yes, Admiral?
MAYO
I need someone for dictation.
Earle quickly goes out. Mayo paces, Consul Miller watching.
MILLER
Well, Admiral Mayo, I trust the
matter is closed, with Morelos
Zaragoza's apology.
MAYO
The general's apology is not
enough. Not after our men have
been threatened, arrested, and
marched through the streets.
MILLER
Admiral, it was only a couple of
blocks. They were promptly
released, and --
MAYO
They were marched in public view.
MILLER
Ensign Copp didn't mention any
public. It's a restricted zone, so
few if any people may have seen it.
Earle returns with a petty officer, who sits down with pad
and pencil.
MAYO
(to petty officer)
This note goes to General Ignacio
Morelos Zaragoza, military governor
of the state.
MILLER
Admiral Mayo, excuse me. As U.S.
consul, I insist we first consult
Washington before any sort of
action is taken.
MAYO
A copy of this note shall be
radioed to the State Department.
MILLER
That is not consultation, sir. We
should --
MAYO
There's no need to consult, Mister
Miller. This matter can be handled
promptly, here and now.
LATER
While Earle and Miller listen, Mayo, pacing, is in the middle
of his dictation to the petty officer.
MAYO
(dictating)
"I don't need to tell you that
taking men from a boat flying the
American flag is a hostile act, not
to be excused. In view of the
publicity of this occurrence, I
must require that you send me, by
suitable members of your staff, a
formal disavowal of, and apology
for, this act, together with your
assurance that the officer
responsible shall be punished.
(beat)
I must also require that you hoist
the American flag in a prominent
position on shore and salute it
with twenty-one guns."
Miller registers dismay and disbelief.
MAYO
"Your salute shall be duly
returned. I must require that your
answer be in my hands, and the
salute fired, within twenty-four
hours."
INT. BRYAN'S OFFICE (WASHINGTON) - DAY
Secretary of State Bryan finishes reading a lengthy dispatch.
He hands it to an aide.
BRYAN
I want this cabled verbatim to the
President in White Sulphur Springs,
with a message from me: "I do not
see that Mayo could have done
otherwise. I await instructions."
EXT. WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.VA. - COUNTRY CLUB - DAY
Wilson, in golfing attire, sits reading the telegram. With him
are House and secretary Tumulty. Ellen, still not looking well,
sits talking with Dr. Grayson in b.g.
WILSON
Who does this Mayo think he is?
HOUSE
I suppose, sir, given the
seriousness of the case -- American
servicemen being paraded through
the streets of Tampico -- he felt
prompt action was necessary. He
can be overruled, of course.
WILSON
No. We have to support him.
This General Zaragoza has already
referred the demand to Huerta.
HOUSE
I think you're right, Mister
President. To withdraw the demand
now could encourage more incidents.
WILSON
Joe, send this reply to Bryan.
(dictating)
"Mayo could not have done otherwise.
O'Shaughnessy should be instructed
to handle this matter with the
utmost firmness. Unless those
guilty are punished, and the salute
is fired, consequences of the
gravest sort may ensue." Get that
off.
TUMULTY
Right away, sir.
Tumulty leaves. House lights a cigar.
WILSON
I've lain awake at night, Ed,
praying that the worst of
alternatives might be avoided
in dealing with Huerta. Now, with
this, it looks like he may leave us
no choice but to use armed force.
HOUSE
We would only be fighting Huerta,
Mister President. The people down
there need our help. Look at it
this way. If a man's house is on
fire, he ought to be glad if his
neighbors come put it out.
INT. A NICE RESTAURANT (MEXICO CITY) - DAY
Edith eats lunch, other patrons in b.g., while Nelson, across
the room, stands listening to someone on a phone. Nelson
looks mad and perplexed.
NELSON
(into phone)
I don't believe it. A twenty-one
gun salute? Louis, I want you to
find the foreign minister.
INT. EMBASSY - DAY
First clerk D'Antin is on the phone, dispatch in hand.
D'ANTIN
Moheno's not even in town. It'll
have to be the sub-minister, uh,
Esteva Ruiz.
INT. RESTAURANT - DAY
Nelson on phone as before.
NELSON
I don't care what his name is,
call him. Tell him we've got to
find Huerta.
EXT. A ROAD - DAY
Huerta's Pierce-Arrow cruises, with three cars behind it.
INT. CAR - MOVING - DAY
Huerta and Nelson sit on the back seat, with sub-minister
ROBERTO ESTEVA RUIZ, 35, on a jump seat.
HUERTA
To solve the matter, mi hijo,
I personally will apologize for
the incident. You can have it
in writing.
NELSON
My government won't consider that
sufficient.
HUERTA
What is it you want?
NELSON
The salute.
Huerta doesn't look pleased. Nelson looks conflicted.
NELSON
General, the exchange of naval
salutes is a common international
courtesy.
HUERTA
Exactly -- a courtesy. They are
not fired on demand.
NELSON
Your salute will be returned. The
salute could be arranged very
quietly. It could be fired early
in the morning, when there's no
one around.
Huerta laughs.
NELSON
General, this is no laughing matter.
HUERTA
I know. And what says the foreign
ministry?
Ruiz puffs up, as this is his moment.
RUIZ
Señor Presidente, to fire such a
salute, on demand, would be a
disgrace for our country.
It would insult our honor,
humiliate our people, and violate
our nation's sovereignty.
Furthermore, we would have no
guarantee that our flag would then
be saluted.
NELSON
I have said the salute will be
returned. We have Admiral Mayo's
word.
RUIZ
Señor Presidente, our sovereignty
is involved here. And our national
dignity. For Mexico to meet this
demand and fire the salute would go
far beyond courtesy. It would be a
disaster.
Huerta looks at Nelson, who seems to have no reply.
INT. EMBASSY - NELSON'S OFFICE - NIGHT
Nelson dictates to the Embassy Clerk. D'Antin is present.
NELSON
(dictating)
"I have discussed the situation
with Huerta. He has given us
a written statement of regret for
the incident, along with assurance
that the responsible officer will
be punished. His statement is
included herewith. He asks that
Mayo's ultimatum be withdrawn."
The Clerk waits for any more while Nelson stews.
CLERK
That it?
NELSON
Add one more sentence.
(dictating)
"I honestly cannot understand such
an ultimatum being issued without
superior authority, in view of the
tense situation existing."
EXT. TRAIN STATION (WASHINGTON) - DAY
REPORTERS wait as Wilson, Ellen, Grayson, House, Tumulty, and
Secret Service agents leave the train.
REPORTER #1
Mister President, would you comment
on the Mexican situation?
REPORTER #2
Are we going to war, Mister
President?
Wilson holds Ellen by the arm as they walk.
WILSON
Gentlemen, please, let's not jump
to conclusions. We have no quarrel
with the Mexican people. Our only
quarrel is with Huerta.
REPORTER #2
But what if he refuses to fire the
salute?
REPORTER #3 studies pale-looking Ellen.
REPORTER #3
Are you doing okay, Mrs. Wilson?
ELLEN
Yes, I'm fine.
REPORTER #2
Are you willing to withdraw the
demand, Mister President?
WILSON
Certainly not. That is out of the
question.
REPORTER #1
But what if the salute isn't fired?
WILSON
The salute will be fired.
INT. WHITE HOUSE - DOOR TO LIVING QUARTERS - DAY
Wilson and Grayson exit the quarters. Ellen can be seen
inside resting on a sofa, talking to secretary Helen Bones.
WILSON
She's not any better.
GRAYSON
I know, sir.
WILSON
Do whatever you have to do, to find
out what's wrong.
INT. PRESIDENT'S OFFICE - DAY
Wilson reads a dispatch. With him are Bryan and Navy
Secretary Daniels. Wilson hands the dispatch to Bryan.
WILSON
Tell O'Shaughnessy that Huerta's
apology is not sufficient. Admiral
Mayo has issued a demand and it
stands as written.
BRYAN
Yes, Mister President.
WILSON
We'll extend the deadline, but
we won't wait for long. Mister
Daniels, I want you to order the
rest of the Atlantic Fleet to the
Mexican coast.
DANIELS
Very well, sir.
WILSON
Meanwhile, send word to Admiral
Fletcher at Veracruz, and Admiral
Mayo at Tampico, to make
contingency plans for landings.
(to Bryan)
I want State Department counsel
to advise us of what precedents
exist for this case. What action
was taken -- blockade, seizure of
ports, et cetera.
BRYAN
Right away, sir.
WILSON
Tell O'Shaughnessy he must make
Huerta understand. That salute
will be fired.
INT. CAFÉ COLÓN - DAY
Mariachis sing. Two bodyguards sit waiting among patrons.
INT. PRIVATE ROOM - DAY
Huerta paces, listening to Nelson, while Moheno sits by.
NELSON
General, I cannot stress too
strongly the danger -- the imminent
danger -- created by your refusal
to fire the salute. Public opinion
may force the President to uphold
the nation's honor, with armed
force if --
HUERTA
There is our nation's honor at
stake here too! Does our honor
mean so little? We are a weaker
nation -- yes, much weaker, and
torn by civil war -- but we, too,
are a people with pride. Force
shall be met with force!
Huerta heads for the door.
NELSON
General...
Huerta stops and turns.
NELSON
Is that all you want me to tell
them?
MOHENO
May I make a suggestion?
(rises)
Why not suggest to His Excellency
that the matter be submitted to the
Hague Tribunal?
HUERTA
(firmly)
Yes. Why not?
NELSON
What good will that do?
HUERTA
(beat; to Moheno)
Well? What good will that do?
MOHENO
Perhaps none. But the tribunal is
there, after all, to arbitrate disputes
between nations. Is it not worth a try?
NELSON
(to Huerta)
Is that your proposal?
HUERTA
Yes.
NELSON
Okay, I'll get a dispatch off to
Washington.
INT. WHITE HOUSE - LIVING QUARTERS - NIGHT
Tired-looking Ellen sits leafing through a family photo album
on the sofa. Wilson enters, Tumulty outside.
TUMULTY
Good night, Mister President.
WILSON
Good night.
Closing the door, Wilson looks over at Ellen.
A moment later, Wilson sits down beside her. He kisses her
cheek.
WILSON
Get much done today, dear?
ELLEN
No. I didn't spend much time in
the office.
(beat)
The doctors think I may have kidney
disease.
Wilson looks at her with surprise and concern.
WILSON
Did they say that?
ELLEN
Not directly. But it's one of the
things they're checking.
(then)
You know, I don't think they even
intend to get my alley bill out of
committee.
WILSON
I'll look into it.
ELLEN
No, I can handle it.
Ellen turns a page in the album. She looks at a photo of
oldest daughter Margaret, a bit plainer than her sisters.
ELLEN
I wish Margaret would find a
husband, before too long.
INT. PRESIDENT'S OFFICE - DAY
Wilson stands alone at the window. Looking out at nothing,
he looks troubled and burdened.
INT. CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY
Wilson sits listening to Navy Secretary Daniels, though he
looks a bit distracted. Among the other Cabinet officials
are Bryan, McAdoo, and Garrison.
DANIELS
Submitting this matter to the Hague
Tribunal would serve no purpose.
The procedure for the exchange of
naval salutes is established by
tradition, international custom.
There's nothing to arbitrate.
WILSON
Of course not. I believe in the
Hague Tribunal, but this is no case
for it. Mayo's demand remains
unconditional.
BRYAN
I think it would be good at this
point, Mister President, to brief
the others on the other two
incidents.
WILSON
Fine.
Bryan refers to his notes.
BRYAN
On April eleven in Veracruz, a mail
orderly from the battleship Florida
was attacked in the street by a
Mexican soldier and taken to jail.
He was released soon after --
completely innocent of any
wrongdoing -- but so far no one at
all has been punished for the
incident.
MCADOO
Pre-posterous.
BRYAN
There's more. In Mexico City, on
that very same day, a coded
dispatch from myself to
O'Shaughnessy was held for almost
two hours in the Mexican censor's
office. O'Shaughnessy had to
personally demand its delivery.
CABINET OFFICIAL
Did they give any reason?
BRYAN
O'Shaughnessy thinks it was due
entirely to the ignorance of the
censor.
WILSON
I submit, gentlemen, that what we
have here, in these three recent
incidents, is a pattern of studied
contempt for this country on the
part of the Huerta government.
BRYAN
That's a good term, Mister
President.
(writes it down)
"Studied contempt." That's how
I'll describe it.
GARRISON
Absolutely. It's is all the more
reason to stand behind Mayo's
demand for that twenty-one gun
salute.
BRYAN
On the matter of a precedent for
action, Mister President, we have a
good one. In eighteen fifty-four,
the town of Greytown, Nicaragua,
was shelled by United States
warships in retaliation for an
insult to the American consul.
Wilson looks wonderingly toward Bryan's notes.
MCADOO
Well, that's not fooling around.
WILSON
(to Bryan)
Are you sure about that?
BRYAN
Yes, Mister President.
GARRISON
I think we should make 'em fire
that salute if we have to blow up
the whole damn place.
INT. NATIONAL PALACE - PRESIDENT'S OFFICE - DAY
Huerta, arguing with Nelson, pours a drink.
HUERTA
"Studied contempt"? What is
studied contempt?
NELSON
Those are the President's words,
not mine. The point is, General,
that, uh -- the point --
HUERTA
I see no point. They are
unrelated, these incidents you
refer to. They are trivial, due to
ignorance, not intent.
NELSON
I agree these matters seem
trivial, General, but...
HUERTA
But what?
NELSON
You must look to the urgency,
General, the expediency, of coming
to some arrangement.
HUERTA
What more can we do? We have
apologized. We have arrested the
colonel who ordered the arrest of
your men -- though your men had no
right to be where they were.
We have done all that one should
expect.
NELSON
(beat)
Then what shall I tell the President?
HUERTA
That I must do what is right, not
what is expedient. No salute will
be fired.
Go to Part ThreeBack to beginning of script